Regardless of whether you are planning only to renovate an office, a hotel or a large-scale facility, or whether you are starting an investment from scratch – for example a construction of a shopping centre or a clinic – it is worth preparing for it properly. It is very important, among other things, for the fit-out project to be in line with your budget, schedule and your company image.
Read to find out what to keep in mind while planning a commercial space, so as to provide a suitable environment that will be appreciated by your employees, customers or patients.
To begin with, decide what you want to achieve thanks to the changes. Setting goals before starting to work means building a solid foundation that will help you plan the entire process of arranging an office, a hotel, a shopping centre or another surface in a much easier way. Prepare a brief, that will help set guidelines for future design and equipment. A fit-out project should reflect your vision, ideas values and company culture. It should also be an extension of your marketing materials and vice versa. It means that your clients should feel similar emotions when entering your office hotel, surgery or another facility, as they do while browsing the company’s website or marketing materials.
Think of what kind of place you need exactly and what should its size be. Consider what look and style you want to achieve and decide on the so called “first impression” areas and places such as for example a reception. Take into account the current number of employees and simulate the potential increase or reduction of jobs.
Think of how your company / industry will change and develop within the next few years. Ask yourself if your current space is prepared for the company’s expansion. How will technological trends affect the size and the shape of your space. Finally, think about whether your facility is flexible enough to be adjusted to any sudden changes.
Collect suggestions as to office improvements from employees and ask clients or patients for feedback during their visits. Use the available resources and create a project management team. Divide the team into sections responsible for various areas, such as health and safety, HR, IT, marketing and everything else relevant to your company.
Nominate one project manager. This will probably be a person who holds a higher position in your company and knows the secret of running it. This person will know a lot about the needs of particular departments. This project leader will be responsible for managing the budget and for sticking to the project schedule. Involve the marketing department in this process, thanks to which you will create an office that reflects the values of your company.
Before commencing any works, the project management team has to make calculations in order to determine exactly how much the company can spend on renovating the office, the hotel or the hospital. Make sure that the initial quote includes all possible costs so that you can effectively plan your equipment budget and not worry about unexpected costs.
Creating a cost estimate can be a good information-gathering exercise for both your company and the contractors involved in your investment. Once the initial estimates are ready, contact a fit-out company in order to receive a comprehensive quote.
Factors to consider while choosing a site for fit-out include among others the following elements: the size of the space being planned, costs related to a given location (price per square meter of purchasing or renting the space and costs related to its subsequent operation) as well as good access to infrastructure. Find out if the new offered space has a suitable place for toilets, kitchens, as well as a back-up storage area or laboratories.
Depending on the size and complexity of your fit-out project, plan the time frame in which you want to carry out the investment. Duration of the implementation, for example, the preparation of office space or hotel equipment, depends on the scope of the required works. If your company only needs minor changes to the existing space, it may only take a few days. Larger projects, such as relocations or new investments, require more work and therefore will take longer. To learn exactly how long the implementation will take, contact a fit-out company.
Choose a professional, highly rated finishing company which will help you prepare an office interior design, a hospital design, a hotel visualisation or will implement teletechnical and electrical installations.
The best way to find the right company is a recommendation or checking a selected company carefully. Look for companies with good reviews and opinions of their previous customers. You can ask for a list of references. It’s also worth taking a look at completed projects and talk to their previous clients. Try to see the projects a given company has already completed. Make sure that the fit-out company you intend to cooperate with has appropriate qualifications.
The fit-out company will prepare detailed designs and cost estimates for you. You will receive the estimated cost of the project, thanks to which you will be able to stick to the budget and the agreed project plans.
Present the fit-out company with your brief. You can also create a mood board, which will be a great way to express your vision. Think of the colours, lighting, equipment or layout.
If you intend to renovate an office, a hotel or a hospital, it is worth inviting the chosen fit-out company to visit your workplace. Together, you will work out how the space can be used, taking into account everything from furniture to lighting. It is important to think outside the box. Is it worth demolishing the walls, installing new windows or change the lighting?
Think over and plan what you want to achieve in the final stage of the fit-out project. Thanks to this, you will get exactly the effect you expect, without unnecessary surprises. Remember to involve the right people. Set a realistic budget and plan everything from installing IT systems to choosing the right office furniture.
Whether you are renovating an existing location or moving to a new location, your company will surely gain a lot, from better efficiency of your staff to improved workflow, better lighting and easier moving around the office area. There are also more obvious benefits, such as showing a more modern space to collaborates and clients. Fit-out creates a great opportunity for your company to operate more efficiently and to solve problems you are struggling with.
Remember that apart from the appropriate planning of your investment, the second most important issue will be choosing the right fit-out company which has experience and knowledge. This is important if your project is to run smoothly, efficiently and within the budget.
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